Donation to benefit girl learners
Girl learners from 22 schools within the Bochum East education circuit are to benefit, thanks to a donation from the Soutpan Solar Power programme.
LIMPOPO – A total of 1 050 learners received sanitary products from the Soutpan Solar Power in the Bahananwa circuit under the Blouberg Municipality. The pads were handed out at 22 schools within the Bochum East circuit.
This initiative was started in 2016 and has up to date reached around 9 000 girl learners. “We strongly believe that a country that is educated, is a country that will prosper, so in supporting these young girls, we can help restore their confidence and give them fair access to education as it is a key enabler to transform lives, which is why we are so passionate about this initiative,” said Harrisinah Theka, Economic Development Officer for Soutpan Solar Power.
The Soutpan Solar Power programme funds the distribution of sanitary towels to girls from disadvantaged families, and during this drive a trained nurse manages the implementation and also provides reproductive health education, to reduce stigma and anxiety resulting from the lack of knowledge.
Each year, the sanitary towel distribution programme moves to a different circuit within the Blouberg Municipality, due to the overwhelming need within the communities. “Besides the cost of pads or tampons, the pervasive stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation also keep girls from attending school and this impacts thousands of girls in this area, each month,” explained Theka.
She added that a large percentage of young girls in the Vivo area, miss up to five days of school each month, due to lack of essential sanitary items. “So, until the government is able to provide free sanitary products to all young girls in these poorer communities, the solution will remain in the hands of NGO’s and corporate funders.”
Theka continued: “The South African Human Rights Commission reported that the lack of access to sanitary towels not only has adverse effects on our country’s girl’s school attendance but it also has a ripple effect on the economic development of communities. It is not just the girls and women who benefit from proper menstrual hygiene, but also the broader society and national economy can profit from better menstruation management.”
This socio-economic development programme is driven by the belief that communities won’t be able to thrive if girl-learners are left behind, which is why this initiative will continue to grow, she said.
